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###### Department of Health and Human Services

###### Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

# AGENCY:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS.

# ACTION:

Notice of delisting.

# SUMMARY:

AHRQ has accepted a notification of voluntary relinquishment from the Surgical Safety Institute of its status as a Patient Safety Organization (PSO). The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 (Patient Safety Act) authorizes the listing of PSOs, which are entities or component organizations whose mission and primary activity is to conduct activities to improve patient safety and the quality of health care delivery. HHS issued the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Final Rule (Patient Safety Rule) to implement the Patient Safety Act. AHRQ administers the provisions of the Patient Safety Act and Patient Safety Rule relating to the listing and operation of PS0s.

# DATES:

The directories for both listed and delisted PSOs are ongoing and reviewed weekly by AHRQ. The delisting was effective at 12 Midnight ET (2400) on February 21, 2012.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Both directories can be accessed electronically at the following HHS Web site:                         *http://www.pso.AHRQ.gov/​index.html*.                    

      ( print page 25180)    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Eileen Hogan, Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, AHRQ, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850; Telephone (toll free): (866) 403-3697; Telephone (local): (301) 427-1111; TTY (toll free): (866) 438-7231; TTY (local): (301) 427-1130;                         *Email: pso@AHRQ.hhs.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## Background

The Patient Safety Act, Public Law 109-41, 42 U.S.C. 299b-21—b-26, provides for the formation of PSOs, which collect, aggregate, and analyze confidential information regarding the quality and safety of health care delivery. The Patient Safety Rule, 42 CFR part 3, authorizes AHRQ, on behalf of the Secretary of HHS, to list as a PSO an entity that attests that it meets the statutory and regulatory requirements for listing. A PSO can be “delisted” by the Secretary if it is found to no longer meet the requirements of the Patient Safety Act and Patient Safety Rule. Section 3.108(d) of the Patient Safety Rule requires AHRQ to provide public notice when it removes an organization from the list of federally approved PS0s, including when a PSO chooses to voluntarily relinquish its status as a PSO for any reason. Accordingly, Surgical Safety Institute, PSO number P0056, was delisted effective at 12:00 Midnight ET (2400) on February 21, 2012.

                    More information on PSOs can be obtained through AHRQ's PSO Web site at                     *http://www.pso.AHRQ.gov/​index.html*.                

Dated: April 19, 2012.

Carolyn M. Clancy,

Director.

[FR Doc. 2012-10012 Filed 4-26-12; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4160-90-M